Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly
Ischnura pumilio
This species is present throughout most of Europe and extends as far as the steppes of Mongolia. Although less common than the previous species, it is reasonably widespread throughout mainland Portugal and in the Madeira and Azores archipelagos. This species is a recognised pioneer in colonising new habitats – or recolonising areas that have undergone major clearing – and is often one of the first to appear, though it may disappear after a few years as other species become established. The females have a great capacity for dispersal, often appearing far from any bodies of water. As a result, they may be spotted in the unlikeliest of places in the Garden.
Text: Eva Monteiro, Albano Soares, Renata Santos, Rui Félix, Cândida Ramos, Ricardo Ramirez and Patrícia Garcia-Pereira